ZAPATEADO – Flamenco meets classic and contemporary music
Violin: Claudia Schaer | Flamenco Dance: Fiona Malena | Piano: Oksana Yaremchuk
SYNOPSIS
Flamenco dancer Fiona Malena first saw famed dancer Antonio Márquez dancing his Zapateado on stage over 20 years ago and was struck by the mastery and synthesis of both classical and flamenco worlds. Years later, still intrigued by the breath and innovation classical music offers she recently performed with the Philharmonic of Essen, Germany in a full classical program.
Here she continues this journey accompanied by esteem pianist Oksana Yaremchuk (Ukraine/ Calgary, Mount Royal University) and violinist Claudia Schaer (New York, Trio Lucente and former concertmaster of the Julliard Symphony).
Together this powerful trio explore the world of Sarasate, de Falla, Eckhardt-Grammatee and beyond…
CLAUDIA SCHAER (Violin)
Claudia Schaer is a versatile recitalist, soloist, and chamber musician, recognized for beautiful and insightful interpretations, and intriguing programming. A career highlight is her recording of the Bach Sonatas and Partias for Solo Violin, which is praised by Japan Bach Review for its “elegant, light touch and lucid timbre … a wonderful performance,” and is available at ClaudiaSchaer.com/discography.
Claudia Schaer’s recitals take her across North American and Europe, spanning a great range of repertoire. A sought-after player of contemporary music, she has inspired many composers to write for her, and seek her expertise in writing well for the violin. She is a soloist and concertmaster with New York’s North/South Consonance Ensemble, with which she has given countless world premières, and she has appeared as soloist with the new-music Esprit Orchestra of Toronto.
An avid chamber musician, Claudia Schaer is a founding member of Trio Lucente, performing stellar violin-cello-piano repertoire to standing ovations since 2023. Her collaborations have additionally taken her to England’s prestigious Prussia Cove festival, the Danish “Thy” Festival, Italy’s “Barga Festival” with Berlin Philharmonic members, and her Carnegie Hall Weill recital debut included collaboration with the Echo-prizewinning David Orlowsky Trio.
A native Calgarian, Claudia Schaer was 11 when she was awarded the “Most Promising Violinist” medal at the Calgary Kiwanis festival. She went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York, completing Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, and earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts at Stony Brook University, writing about the intersection of music, philosophy, and mathematics. She is thrilled to be back in Calgary to play for you!For further information, please visit: http://www.ClaudiaSchaer.com
OKSANA YAREMCHUK (Pianist)
Oksana Yaremchuk is a Ukrainian pianist who graduated from the Kyiv Musical Academy and studied under Professor Vsevolod Vorobyov. She began her career playing with vocalists and instrumentalists when she was 14 years old and since that time it has been her passion. From 2009 to 2017 she worked on cruise lines where she enjoyed opportunities to travel around the world, playing concerts and shows with international singers and musicians. In 2017 Oksana came back to Ukraine and started working as a pianist in the Kyiv Musical College, founded by Vitaliy Lysenko. She has played in numerous masterclasses, competitions and concerts, and was awarded the title of “Best Concertmaster” on numerous occasions. In 2021 she also began performing with the Kyiv Operetta House as a collaborative pianist, playing for choirs, singers, and with the main orchestra.
In 2023 Oksana began a new journey working as a collaborative pianist at Mount Royal University Conservatory in Calgary. She has also collaborated with Calgary’s Festival Chorus and the Cantare Children’s Choir. She also teaches Ukrainian children under the Honnes’ Key for Newcomers program in Calgary.
FIONA MALENA (Dance)
An International performing artist based in Berlin, Germany, Fiona Malena has toured as a guest artist worldwide; including to countries such as Ecuador, Turkey, Canada, Spain, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Fiona received her training and formation during her many years living in Southern Spain under the mentorship of Farruquito and Concha Vargas. For the last 3 years, she trained almost exclusively with Eduardo Guerrero.
She currently performs in Germany and was recently featured at “Flamenco sin Fronteras” at the International Theater in Frankfurt, Germany with guitarist Diego Rocha Pozo.
Upcoming performances include her debut concert of “Sol de España” with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Essen, Germany.
Fiona’s personal style is one of effervescent expression and dynamic elegance, allowing her to collaborate with many different types of artists and genres, including jazz and world music. Born and raised in Calgary, Fiona is thrilled to be back in Canada this summer.